1. Ministry of Transport Update Bernadine Walsh 18 February 2010

2. Outline Safer Journeys Land Transport Management Act Review
Heavy Vehicle Project
Super Gold Card Review
National Infrastructure Plan
Rail
Minister

3. Safer Journeys Launch – around late February
Information been released over past few months
Package of actions progressed over next couple of years, some immediate

4. Safer Journeys
“If we're serious about improving road safety, future changes need to be based on evidence and on the experience of similar countries - like Australia.” – Minister Joyce
The Minister wants a package on young drivers as one of the first actions to flow from the new road safety strategy.

5. Safer Journeys
"Young New Zealanders have a fatality rate of 21 per 100,000 of population, in Australia it's 13 per 100,000 - that a huge difference and we need to understand the reasons behind that, including the sorts of interventions in place across that Tasman that we don't have here.”
Minister Joyce

6. Safer Journeys
In all but one State [ACT] the driving age is 16. In Victoria a probationary licence system is being introduced with a requirement for a good driving record to advance to the next licence stage.
Queensland has introduced hazard perception testing into its graduated licensing testing.
A number of states also have implemented or are implementing between hours of driving practice to advance to the next licence stage while fines and demerit points for licence breaches are also in place in several states.
Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland have vehicle restrictions for young drivers based on vehicle power.

9. Land Transport Management Act Review
“Not a fundamental re-think of the LTMA framework”
Within Scope
The review is looking to:
 increase the effectiveness and durability of the LTMA’s planning, funding and accountability procedures and processes by simplifying terminology, reducing overlaps and duplications, and removing redundant requirements
ensure the LTMA emphasises value for money
reframe the LTMA’s tolling and public private partnership provisions to reduce barriers to the use of these mechanisms
provide flexibility in the LTMA to use borrowing to support the delivery of the national land transport programme
repeal the LTMA’s regional fuel tax provisions.
 Outside of Scope
 substantive revision to the Act’s underlying funding and planning framework, including hypothecation (the national land transport fund), the NZTA’s programming and funding approval roles, and regional planning and prioritisation
new revenue mechanisms
reviewing road management powers
reviewing organisation form (with the exception of Regional Transport Committees).

10. Land Transport Management Act Review
Milestones
Preliminary work and engagement (ongoing)
 Cabinet decisions
 Bill introduction
Select committee process
 Enactment of any new legislation
Engagement
Formal select committee process
 Minister has agreed to some engagement on proposals when further developed.

11. Heavy Vehicle Productivity
The amendment is proposed to come into effect from 1 April 2010. 
Ministerial sign-off process over next month or so.
An implementation plan is being developed by the NZ Transport Agency.  Dedicated unit.

12. National Infrastructure Plan
Release is likely over next few months

13. Minister
Minister has new portfolio of Tertiary Education

14. Rail
KiwiRail has been in discussion over its Strategic Business Plan with the Minister. Ministry in advisory role.
Discussions are ongoing...still working things through.
Minister focussed on freight business in particular.
Host of other rail policy work going on in Ministry.

15. SuperGold Card
Card was launched in 2007, provides free off-peak travel on public transport
About 540,000 card holders, and 40,000 new cardholders eligible each year
Crown appropriation of $18m p.a. for four years, 100% FAR (including NZTA/ regional council admin.)
A review of scheme was always planned after first year
Review currently under way, being led by the Ministry and NZTA
NZTA survey of 1500 SGC holder regarding their experience and usage of the scheme
Discussion document being finalised – will be consultation document out by April.
The recognition that there needs to be pro-active leadership in the sector has resulted in the establishment of the PTLF - Chief Executive level forum
Membership was determined by NZTA and MOT chief executives,.
Not everyone in the sector, aimed for a small group
Jointly chaired by NZTA / MOT
It’s very new, still evolving.
Sharing perspectives and adding value where it can develop a shared vision and implement initiatives
collaboratively lead developments of the public transport sector
communicate and engage across the sector.
Up to individual organisations to drive initiatives back though their own organisations
It is not supposed to be an advisory group to government, although advice could be provided e.g. test of the 2 proposals
Next steps
This is a priority project for the Ministry, but, we also don’t want to rush into amendments in addition to the contracting requirement, unless we are sure they are needed. Accordingly, a Cabinet paper recommending changes to the Act will not be ready before Christmas, as indicated in the Minister’s letter.
Since the Minister’s letter of 2 September, we have been talking to a wide range of stakeholders, analysing what the Act gives us, observing the Hutt Valley negotiations and carrying out case studies of our own of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, to see how best to achieve the Minister’s objectives.